1,200 words You Should Know to Sound Smart: Essential Words Every Sophisticated Person Should be Able to Use

by Robert W. Bly

This book is a tongue-in-cheek guide to words that any well-educated, witty person should be able to drop into cocktail conversation. The reader is encouraged to toss off words such as “disestablishmentarianism,” “descant,” and “autodidactic” –words that will make the user sound learned, intellectual, and wise. For those who want to improve the quality and sophistication of their speech and writing, this is the book to keep on the nightstand.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Self Help, Reference, Language

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Bob Bly is a freelance copywriter with 4 decades of experience in direct response and business-to-business marketing. He is the author of 100 published book on topics ranging from science, sex, satire, and science fiction -- to small business, writing, advertising, and online marketing. McGraw-Hill calls Bob Bly “America’s top copywriter.”

Reviews

[Hunter Radecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you took advanced English courses in high school, this book is a great refresher and reinforcement for your vocabulary. I expected to learn a few words, get clarity on others, and perhaps come out of it more confident in my language skills, and I think that was accomplished.

My bone to pick with this book is the examples used. Focused on the super-wealthy, this drives the book into something of a satyrical-intelligentsia of a dictionary. It's annoying and gets old fast. Vocabulary is a principle of communication, and I can't support the association between such and the uberwealthy as complimentary, regardless of sarcasm.

[Charlotte S · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the title isn't enough to ignite your inner word nerd, then I don't know what is!

I love that this book is organized alphabetically and it's super easy to find a word or letter you want to look up.

Each word has the pronunciation, part of speech, definition, and sentence written underneath it. It's so fun to learn new words! There are also quotes at the beginning of every letter!

This book just excites the heck out of me because I'm a super nerdy girl 😂 Thought I would share my word obsession with you guys lol.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do! Thank you for reading my review! Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for fun book recommendations!

[Nancy Nash Keefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it; some of the words are far more common than I think the author realizes, and I skipped the examples after a few had some overweening feelings, and almost a soupçon of conceit, but that could just be me.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a good reference book. I keep it on my desk for reference.

[April Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this book to study for the GRE and it’s generally nice for when I am trying to find the right word to summarize a situation.

[Matt Laatsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder that learning a language, even your native language, is a life long endeavor.